The National Park
Service (NPS) has temporarily closed access to the beach at Indiana Dunes
National Lakeshore’s Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk site, after recent
storm waves washed away a portion of a sand dune and the only designated
trail to the beach.

“Despite the
closure of the beach access, all other areas of Portage Lakefront remain
open to the public, including the pavilion, trail, riverwalk and
breakwater,” NPS said. “Portage Lakefront, one of the most popular sites in
the National Lakeshore, is operated by the City of Portage in partnership
with the National Park Service.”

“At more than 580
feet above sea level, Lake Michigan’s water level remains well above the
long-term average,” NPS noted. “The higher lake level, in combination with
recent storm waves, has resulted in continued erosion and narrower beaches
along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Despite the erosion, all beach access,
except at Portage Lakefront, remains open along the 15-miles of shoreline
within the National Lakeshore.”